The chamber within the Implacable Jade was empty save for Finan and the varied implements needed to enact the Ritual of Connection. He sat in the exact middle of the ritual circle, in a meditative pose. His legs were crossed, his feet over his knees and the back of his hands resting over his heels. It wasn’t the most comfortable of poses, but it was the one prescribed by the ritual. Nothing could go wrong.

The outer circle was carved into the steel deck, inlaid with Chaos dust, then ignited with denatured Animus. The inner circle was powered by his own Animus, and linked to his protective artefact, Vie’Coera. That one was materialised around him now and appeared as a suit of sleek, seamless armour intended to have no weak points. The composite metal was flexible enough that he only felt a bit of resistance when he bent his limbs, and more importantly, it was linked to another artefact back home. The link wasn’t enough to actually facilitate any kind of communication, but it acted as an anchor for the ritual, as well as a surety to his location and survival.

And his mind was wandering. Ever since he received word through the Implacable Jade’s core, he’d been restless. And from the brief message, he had acted. He couldn’t help but sigh. Who knew that this kind of day would come so soon? He hadn’t even truly lived.

He couldn’t help but chuckle ruefully. He was here in Rumiga plane for one thing only, and it was that goal that put him in such a position now. A coincidence? Never. It was the doing of the Threads of Fate as directed by the Fateweaver Loom. And while that Grand Artefact could not affect the entirety of the Threads, it was just strong enough to affect everything within Imperial borders.

It was those Threads that had spun around his heart and wove a noose around his neck.

Even so, the stirrings of emotion welling within his chest didn’t allow him to keep things vague any longer, and he didn’t know what would happen in the future. He had an inkling…the vaguest suspicion, but then, there was no evidence to be found. Only silence.

So he had to make a clean break. Whatever happened to him now, she would not be affected.

He jolted when he felt the ritual begin. Not by his Will, but by the Intent of his Imperial Mother. It was time.

_______________

Yuriko jerked awake when someone entered her perception space. She bolted to her feet, untangling herself from her bedroll in the process. Her Anima condensed around her body, and a sunblade manifested next to her hand even as she scrubbed the crust out of her eyes.

She glared blarily at the young woman who gaped at her next to Eli’Theria.

“Ah…! Uhm…” The woman stammered, her gaze riveted to the Radiant sunblade. The woman swallowed. “I’m so-sorry for sta-startling you…”

Yuriko shook her head, took a cursory check upon her surroundings, told herself that she’d overreacted badly. She collapsed the sunblade, reabsorbed the Radiant energy, but of course her reserves were already full so she shunted it into her hair, which began to shed golden light. Which in turn made the woman goggled at her even more. Worse, Yuriko felt the first stirrings of a connection through her Mien, so she immediately headed that off by choking the outflow…

“No, it’s my fault for being too jumpy,” Yuriko muttered. Then she shook her head and asked the woman. “Can I help you?”

“Eh, ah, no, no, I mean, er…” The woman looked towards the hangar’s gate, and Yuriko’s gaze followed. The light of dawn was already casting a long shadow, and her heart raced when she realised that she’d overslept.

“I’m late,” Yuriko muttered.

“Ah, yes, I was sent to bring you to the admin office.” The woman continued, “Please follow me!”

“Alright.”

After patting Eli’Theria’s knee, Yuriko followed the woman out of the hangar. She spread her Anima perception as wide as it would go, noting that her reach was already close to thirty three paces from her skin.

The makeshift camp was laid out in a square grid. Each building was uniformly high, practically the same size, the same layout, and occupied by legionnaires, an armoury, or a storehouse. The Colossi hangars were the exception, being bigger than the other buildings. The only identifying points were the signs carved on the facade, and even then, they were the sort that only active members of the Legion Agminis could understand.

They walked for a couple of blocks straight, then took a right, then a left. They reached the center of the camp, and the woman stopped at the doors of a building that was not even remotely distinct from the others. “In here, Miss.”

“Thank you,” Yuriko answered as the woman opened the door to let her in. The antechamber had a couple of sentries, who perked up when she entered, staring rudely at her face, before bouncing down to her chest. Both men reddened when they realised what they inadvertently did, though they didn’t say anything, simply tried to keep their eyes up. Yuriko snorted and brushed past them.

Her guide led her through a maze of corridors before letting her into an office. A red-haired woman with a smattering of freckles across her nose was placing a few dishes containing bread, cheese, and jerky, on a side table.

“Tribunus, I’ve brought Miss Davar as ordered,” the guide woman said, and the Tribunus nodded absently.

“Good morning, Miss Davar, Tribunus Agatha Kaspar of the Legion Agminis, at your service.”

“Well met,” Yuriko nodded. “I apologize for my tardiness.”

“It’s alright, the Legate isn’t here yet. I’ve had breakfast prepared for us while we wait.”

“Oh, thank you!” Yuriko answered eagerly, her nose already twitching with the scents wafting from the warm food. A dish of butter was placed next to the platter of bread, and the Tribunus Kaspar placed a pot of kaf next to a couple of mugs.

“Please,” the woman gestured to the chair while the guide bowed to Kaspar and left.

Yuriko sat on the proffered seat but waited until the tribunus was seated and had served herself before taking her share of the food, mindful of the etiquette lessons she’d endured both in the academy and with the Mishala Clan.

The kaf was nice and hot, and it had been a long time since she’s had one of Rumiga plane’s exclusive exports. The Animus recovery effect the drink had was now too minor to really affect her, but back before she had awakened, it had been more than enough to refill her meagre reserves. Now, she enjoyed the bittersweet taste as well as the perk up effect.

Ah! The bread was wonderfully fluffy, too, but the cheese was a bit tart while the jerky was too salty. Still, it was a welcome repast, and the two ate quickly and only had small talk while they nibbled on their food. Once the last piece of cheese and bread was gone, Agatha Kaspar took the plates and left them on a side table, then invited Yuriko to sit across her desk.

“So what brings you here, Miss Davar?” She finally asked, and it looked like the Legate had not updated her second in command. Yuriko repeated what she said to Iola Brygos, and the Tribunus frowned, “That will be difficult. Nothing would please us more than to evacuate the civilians away from the warzone, but the Imperial Pass is no more. The mountain actively interfered with the Legate’s efforts and our Earthmelder Corps is overbooked.”

“But I think the call is more important…” Yuriko started to say.

“No, the Legate won’t leave the refugees unprotected.” Tribunus Kaspas sighed, “The Ivalans, Chaos Lords, and Barbarians…they have enough Knight Commander level warriors to overrun our defenses. Most of the defensive infrastructure for civilians were destroyed along with the city.”

Yuriko nodded. “But the Chaos Duke seeks to consume the plane…”

“I know what you’re going to say, and I’m sure the Legate has considered it. What I know she will say is that she will leave coordination with me, and only leave once your group is ready to act.”

“I understand,” Yuriko said. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to confirm with Legate Brygos herself.”

“By all means.” Tribunus Kaspar’s gravelly voice remained neutral.

“Thank you.” Yuriko fidgetted in her seat, then said, “I’m also here to look for my brother, Kato Mishala Davar. He was inducted into the militia after he graduated from Agaza.”

“Kato Mishala Davar?” Tribunus Kaspar hummed. “I’ve not encountered him, and if you wish aid, I’d suggest heading towards the town hall. But I’m not sure if the records were properly saved…”

“Are you telling me no one has seen my brother?” Yuriko asked slowly.

“There are several hundred thousand refugees from the city scattered across the plains and hills.” Kaspar sighed. “Though if he is in the militia, he should be on duty. I have not come across his name in the roster.”

“Missing?” Yuriko asked softly, her heart sinking with dread.

“I will send messengers to ask,” the woman said, then whistled sharply. The tone shot straight through the room, and a couple of minutes later, a messenger boy knocked on the door. At Kaspar’s word, the boy opened the door. “Head to Misttyre’s hall and ask for Kato Mishala Davar’s location.” The boy saluted with a fist over his heart then departed. “More kaf?” Tribunus Kaspar asked.

“Thank you,” Yuriko said as she accepted the mug. She added a dollop of honey to sweeten the drink as one mug of bitter kaf was enough for her morning.

“I’m sure the Legate will be here soon.” Kaspar said even as she penned a quick note on a messenger crane and sent it flying out. “So, can you tell me how it came to be that you’re piloting such a distinctive Colossus?”

Yuriko nodded and told the story her Da said to tell anyone who asked. It was a simple one, bereft of important details, merely that her parents explored the Chaos Sea, and found Eli’Theria there, in a ruin.

She was halfway through the tale when the Legate entered the office, and pretty much confirmed what the Tribunus said.

“I will relay your words to my Mum,” Yuriko said, “and I suspect they will use the Silver Tiger to fetch you once the mission begins.”

“That’s acceptable.” Legate Iola Brygos continued, “I will remain in this area and protect the refugees from the depredations of the enemy. Hmmm…” The Knight Dominus stared at Yuriko for a long moment, “If you are so inclined, perhaps you can help secure the east.”

“I am looking for my brother, but if I have time…” Yuriko offered.

“Nothing much to be done. I have no Knight Commanders to spare to scouting, but since you have that Colossus, perhaps you can survive a scouting mission.”

“Oh?”

“There is a Chaos Fortress northeast of here. It’s where the Chaos Lords have rallied their forces and where they retreat to replenish their Chaos Wells. If you can probe the defences and figure out how well defended it is, I will…hmmm, no it would leave the town vulnerable if I leave…well, any reconnaissance is better than nothing. And if you manage to destroy it, then that’s one less worry here.”

Yuriko nodded. “I can take a look. Eli’Theria and I can fly so its much safer for us. But I’d like word on Kato first.”

“You will have it. In the meantime, will you wait in the Colossus Core Pilots’ quarters while we gather the information?” Agatha Kaspar asked.

“I don’t mind, but I hope to receive word after noon,” Yuriko said firmly.

“We’ll give you a preliminary within the hour.”

“Thank you.”

After a clear dismissal, Yuriko left the admin office and headed back to the Colossus Hangar. She was afraid that Kato wasn’t here or anywhere nearby and she was itching to look for him. If not for the threads within the dreamscape not working as she hoped, she wouldn’t even stay still. As it were, she had already made a decision.

The past couple of battles showed her that she was now fighting at a higher level and her old tricks didn’t work as well as they should have. She possessed something that should help her elevate herself, and it was time to make use of it. After all, the Ambrosia she had in her canister was nothing more than a windfall. She certainly didn’t seek it out, and if her luck and the Threads of Fate remained true, she would find more when she needed it.

And now, it was time to drink the Ambrosia and reach for perfection.